Japanese national day, emperor’s birthday celebrated in city

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations held a ceremony December 9 to mark Japan’s National Day (December 23) and the 76th birthday of Japanese Emperor Akihito.

Deputy chairman of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association, Nguyen Cong Tanh, sent a message to greet the emperor and wish him good health.

He highlighted the exchanges between the two countries this year, like the Mekong Delta – Japan Culture and Tourism Festival, hailed Japan’s support to Vietnam, and said bilateral cooperation between the two countries is developing in many areas like the economy, investment, culture, and education.

The Japanese consulate in the city, Mizuki Ikuo, said emperor is the 125th to ascend the throne and this year also marks the 50th wedding anniversary of the royal couple.

Officials from the city unit of the Fatherland Front, Foreign Office, Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association, Japanese consulate, and others attended the ceremony which featured Vietnamese and Japanese music performances.